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Pet hoarding horrors: 27 photos spotlight cruel disorder

Animal hoarding is in the spotlight as a result of some recent high-profile cases, including one that's being called one of the worst in U.S. history. Hoarding is certainly bad for animals, who face malnutrition and squalid conditions that breed disease. And hoarders may be vulnerable to poor air quality and diseases that can be spread from animals to humans.

What causes people to hoard animals ranging from cats to rats? Psychologists don't know the exact causes but point to several factors including early child experiences (parental neglect or abuse), distorted thinking, impulsivity, and plain old loneliness.

Whatever the explanation, animal hoarders can create some truly shocking situations, as the following photos show.

Credit: Bradley J. Boner/The HSUS

On August 26, 2010, more than 150 cats were found at a residence in Powell, Wyoming. Here are a few of the unfortunate felines.

Credit: Bradley J. Boner/The HSUS

On August 26, 2010, more than 150 cats were found at a residence in Powell, Wyoming. Here are a few of the unfortunate felines.

Credit: Bradley J. Boner/The HSUS

On August 26, 2010, more than 150 cats were found at a residence in Powell, Wyoming. Here are a few of the unfortunate felines.

Credit: Bradley J. Boner/The HSUS

On August 26, 2010, more than 150 cats were found at a residence in Powell, Wyoming. Here are a few of the unfortunate felines.

Credit: Bradley J. Boner/The HSUS

On August 26, 2010, more than 150 cats were found at a residence in Powell, Wyoming. Here are a few of the unfortunate felines.

Credit: Bradley J. Boner/The HSUS

On August 26, 2010, more than 150 cats were found at a residence in Powell, Wyoming. Here are a few of the unfortunate felines.

Credit: Bradley J. Boner/The HSUS

On August 26, 2010, more than 150 cats were found at a residence in Powell, Wyoming. Here are a few of the unfortunate felines.

Credit: Bradley J. Boner/The HSUS

In a case the Humane Society of the U.S. calls one of the worst in U.S. history, authorities found almost 700 cats living in deplorable conditions at a High Springs, Fla. "cat sanctuary." on June 7, 2011.

Credit: Julie Busch Branaman/The HSUS

In a case the Humane Society of the U.S. calls one of the worst in U.S. history, authorities found almost 700 cats living in deplorable conditions at a High Springs, Fla. "cat sanctuary." on June 7, 2011.

Credit: Julie Busch Branaman/The HSUS

Cats and dogs aren't the only animals hoarders hoard. In another recent case, about 2,000 rats were found roaming through a house in southern California. The owner kept some rats as pets but became overwhelmed and allowed them to breed until they eventually took over the house, according to the Humane Society.

Credit: Alex Gallardo/The HSUS

Cats and dogs aren't the only animals hoarders hoard. In another recent case, about 2,000 rats were found roaming through a house in southern California. The owner kept some rats as pets but became overwhelmed and allowed them to breed until they eventually took over the house, according to the Humane Society.

Credit: Alex Gallardo/The HSUS

On March 23, 2011, about 200 dogs, 50 cats, and several chickens, ducks and pigs were found living in a filthy, feces-ridden residence in Witch Wells, Arizona.

Credit: Kathy Milani/The HSUS

On March 23, 2011, about 200 dogs, 50 cats, and several chickens, ducks and pigs were found living in a filthy, feces-ridden residence in Witch Wells, Arizona.

Credit: Kathy Milani/The HSUS

On March 23, 2011, about 200 dogs, 50 cats, and several chickens, ducks and pigs were found living in a filthy, feces-ridden residence in Witch Wells, Arizona.

Credit: Kathy Milani/The HSUS

On March 23, 2011, about 200 dogs, 50 cats, and several chickens, ducks and pigs were found living in a filthy, feces-ridden residence in Witch Wells, Arizona.

Credit: Kathy Milani/The HSUS

On March 23, 2011, about 200 dogs, 50 cats, and several chickens, ducks and pigs were found living in a filthy, feces-ridden residence in Witch Wells, Arizona.

Credit: Kathy Milani/The HSUS

On March 23, 2011, about 200 dogs, 50 cats, and several chickens, ducks and pigs were found living in a filthy, feces-ridden residence in Witch Wells, Arizona.

Credit: Kathy Milani/The HSUS

On March 23, 2011, about 200 dogs, 50 cats, and several chickens, ducks and pigs were found living in a filthy, feces-ridden residence in Witch Wells, Arizona.

Credit: Kathy Milani/The HSUS

On March 23, 2011, about 200 dogs, 50 cats, and several chickens, ducks and pigs were found living in a filthy, feces-ridden residence in Witch Wells, Arizona.

Credit: Kathy Milani/The HSUS

On March 23, 2011, about 200 dogs, 50 cats, and several chickens, ducks and pigs were found living in a filthy, feces-ridden residence in Witch Wells, Arizona.

Credit: Kathy Milani/The HSUS

On March 23, 2011, about 200 dogs, 50 cats, and several chickens, ducks and pigs were found living in a filthy, feces-ridden residence in Witch Wells, Arizona.

Credit: Kathy Milani/The HSUS

On March 23, 2011, about 200 dogs, 50 cats, and several chickens, ducks and pigs were found living in a filthy, feces-ridden residence in Witch Wells, Arizona.

Credit: Kathy Milani/The HSUS

Who would choose to live this way? About 150 dogs and 50 cats lived in this cluttered space in Gordon, Alabama.

Credit: Kathy Milani/The HSUS

Who would choose to live this way? About 150 dogs and 50 cats lived in this cluttered space in Gordon, Alabama.

Credit: Kathy Milani/The HSUS

Who would choose to live this way? About 150 dogs and 50 cats lived in this cluttered space in Gordon, Alabama.